Vietnam is rapidly positioning itself as a prime destination for artificial intelligence investment, attracting growing global interest across infrastructure, platforms, and applications. AI adoption is already delivering tangible value across sectors. Banks use AI to monitor transactions in real time to prevent fraud, insurers automate claims processing, and manufacturers deploy predictive maintenance to reduce errors and optimize production lines.
In early 2026, Russell Headlee, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, led a delegation of US firms to Vietnam to explore cooperation in AI, digital infrastructure, and cybersecurity. He highlighted AI as a top priority under the US “America’s AI Action Plan” announced in July 2025 and praised Vietnam’s ambition, noting that the country is among the first in the region to adopt a Law on Artificial Intelligence.
At the 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting in Hanoi, major US technology companies including Google, Meta, and Amazon Web Services expressed strong interest in expanding AI infrastructure and services in Vietnam. Several large-scale projects have followed. Create Capital Vietnam, Haimaker.ai, and Vietnam DataGen plan to build a 100MW AI data center in Da Nang High-Tech Park with total investment of USD 1 billion. Japan’s Meiko Electronics announced a JPY 40 billion, equivalent to USD 255 million, factory in Hanoi to produce AI-integrated printed circuit boards, while Dassault Systemes has opened an AI and Digital Twin R&D and Center of Excellence in the capital.
According to the “Artificial Intelligence in Southeast Asia” report by Source of Asia, Vietnam is emerging as a strategic hub for AI research and skilled human resources. While Singapore leads in policy and capital and Malaysia in infrastructure, Vietnam is becoming a large-scale provider of AI research talent. With more than 500,000 engineers and IT professionals, it has one of the region’s largest technology workforces. The number of AI startups increased from around 60 in 2021 to 278 in 2024.
Vietnam is increasingly viewed as part of the global AI value chain rather than merely a software outsourcing base. Qualcomm has established its third-largest global AI R&D hub in Hanoi, underscoring confidence in the country’s long-term potential. The Japan International Cooperation Agency also noted that AI in Vietnam is moving from pilot testing to commercial deployment across industries.
Market growth remains strong. According to ABeam Consulting, Vietnam’s AI market is expanding at an average annual rate of about 15.8%. The country benefits from a young population, rising digital demand, and supportive policy frameworks. However, challenges remain. Many businesses deploy AI tools quickly but lack unified data architecture, resulting in fragmented systems that cannot scale effectively. Experts emphasize that successful digital transformation requires not only technology but also organizational culture, workforce readiness, and structured change management.
Vietnam’s Law on AI will take effect on March 1, 2026, alongside a national AI strategy through 2030 with a vision to 2045. The country aims to rank among the top three AI R&D centers in Southeast Asia by 2030 and train at least 50,000 chip and AI engineers. AI, semiconductors, and ICT are among 11 strategic technologies prioritized under new science and technology policies effective from 2026.
Industry leaders stress coordinated action to turn AI into a lasting competitive advantage. Safeguarding national data, strengthening R&D investment, improving legal frameworks, and supporting infrastructure development are seen as critical steps. While AI offers powerful tools for growth, experts agree that human capital, strategic planning, and effective execution will determine whether Vietnam can transform technological momentum into sustainable economic leadership in the region.
Source: Vietnam News
